Below is a chart with a linear price scale, between the periods 2003-2007 and 2017-2022 the index appreciated approximately 100%, while both the price movements are similar in terms of return, the scale doesn’t depict the price changes with the same upward movement. During the 2017-2022 period due to higher price of the index, the upward movement looks significantly more than during the period 2003-2007.
However, if we analyse the same on a logarithmic scale, both the upward movements are equidistantly placed on the logarithmic price scale. It gives a fair picture of the price changes.
Linear scale can be misleading when dealing with high variation in prices(high volatility) as the price movements are not significantly visible on lower price as compared to a higher price, in such cases a logarithmic scale provides a fair insight.
In short-term, generally price variations are lower and a linear scale imitates a logarithmic scale hence using any one of the two wouldn’t make much difference.